Dumbbell buddy

ABSTRACT

The invention is an external apparatus for the addition of weight(s) to dumbbells and barbells. The external apparatus allows micro-incremental loading between 1.25 to 3.75 pounds on all types of dumbbells and barbells. The device is able to improve trainer and the trainee&#39;s ability to break plateaus and to maintain consistent weight progression. The use of this device promotes and stimulates the muscle growth of the user while training. The main advantage of the present invention that women get the significant benefit from this piece of equipment, however, men and women of all body types would benefit greatly from this device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to exercise instrument and, more specifically, to devices that allow addition of weight to dumbbells used in weight training exercises. This device can be used on all manner of weight training equipment, including dumbbells etc.

Background of the Invention

The benefits of weight lifting exercises in terms of building and maintaining strength, body toning, and general health and endurance, are well known. Free weights for adding on barbells are frequently used. Free weights include barbells and hand weights known as dumbbells. Normally the classic dumbbell is a weight lifting exercise device with a short hand grip or bar connected to weights at either end. The dumbbell is meant for use with a single hand. The weight is usually fixed but is sometimes adjustable through addition or subtraction of increments of weight by a particular type of dumbbells. A dumbbell inventory typically includes pairs of dumbbells of various weights ranging from one to twenty pounds or more.

Heretofore attempts to adding weight on exercise devices have required the keying of one weight to another to interlock them for sue such as disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 5,221,244 ('244) to Doss. This has the disadvantage of requiring the person making the addition to' take the time to make sure the weight pieces are interlocked. Also in the ,244 patent with the threaded bore of the auxiliary or extra weight there can be a projection that extends beyond the weight that could catch on something or it could cause injury to a person.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,017 to Jaeger is one such device that describes a dumbbell attachment apparatus to quickly add weight to a traditional dumbbell in increments smaller than those usually provided with dumbbell kits. The device includes an auxiliary weight member with a handle and outer legs that extend therefrom.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,484 to Carpenter is another device that suggested a dumbbell attachment system that can be used as a handle for a spotter and also add weight to the dumbbell. The device has a threaded stud attached to a pair of weighted hook members. The threaded stud is used as a handle and can be adjusted to fit different sized dumbbells and to secure the device on the dumbbell. While the device provides a handle with arm members, the specially shaped hook provides an opening that would make the device unsafe to perform as a kettlebell adaptor for a dumbbell.

Hence, what is desirable is a mechanically simple and easy-to-use dumbbell weight training device having the ability of adding a particular weight that are adapted to be detachably connected to one another so that the gross weight of a single dumbbell may be selectively and progressively varied to conform to the weight training program of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above disadvantages inherent in the known types of external dumbbell attachment assemblies now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new dumbbell attachment device wherein the same can be utilized for converting a traditional dumbbell into a device that is safely secured to the adding micro-incremental loading between a specific range of weight on all types of dumbbells and barbells.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and simplified external dumbbell attachment device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an external dumbbell attachment device that converts a traditional dumbbell into a weight suitable for use as a solid-state band with lead platelets that are non-removable from band.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an external dumbbell attachment device that is strong and flexible circular elastic band coated with lead platelets which could be easily assembled over the top portion of the dumbbells and barbells.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an external dumbbell attachment device that elastic band has non-slip surface for preventing falls on and also reduces the chances of injury.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an external dumbbell attachment device that the weight of the each band is 1.25 pounds. Therefore by adding 1.25 pounds to the dumbbells and barbells would be 1 band, adding 2.5 pounds would be 2 bands and similar.

A final object of the present invention is to provide an external dumbbell attachment device that stabilizes the dumbbell during the exercise and eliminates training injury that could occur when weight load is higher than the user's strength ability. Further provided that this assembly is significant for women and beginners.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawing. It is appreciated that the drawing depicts only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the weight enhancing device of the present invention for a weight device wherein weight plate located on a handle.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the side view of the present invention that is assembled with lead platelets.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that illustrate the embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible and modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not meant to limit the invention. Rather the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

A dumbbell is simple equipment used in weight training in various gym and health centers. It is often a single piece of metal or other heavy material that the user could hold in their hand. Some nicer models, however, have had variables weights just like a barbell. The dumbbell's weight while the lifting provides resistance, helping the user to build muscle in the upper body through repeated motions.

The basic idea of this invention is to have adding of external weight in the form of pieces or units, but which can be easily separated into parts, one of which is the add-on weight. For example, one band could add 1.25 pound, two bands could add 2.5 pounds and so on. Then, one could select any weight between 1.25 and 3.75 pounds, simply by attaching one or more bands to the dumbbell or barbells.

There is shown in FIG. 1 the external weight enhancing device for the dumbbell or barbells including a circular elastic band 1, attachment means for increasing the weight 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, outer surface 8 and inner surface 9 of the circular band on the dumbbell or barbells. Further referring to the FIG. 2 the external weight enhancing device for the dumbbell or barbells is attached to the dumbbell 10 having a pair of weight plates 11, a central handle 12, and two ends 13 and 14 of the central handle 12.

Referring to FIG. 2, the external weight enhancing device for the dumbbell or barbells in accordance with the present invention is shown comprising a circular elastic band 1, which is assembled with the weight plates 11 of the dumbbell 10 having a central handle 12, and two ends 13 and 14 of the central handle 12.

An external weight attachment device is depicted in FIG. 1, the device includes a circular elastic band (preferably from about 1.25 inches wide and ⅛- 3/16 inches in thickness) with attachment means for increasing weight of the dumbbell or barbells 10, are lead platelets 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, that are attached outer surface 8 of the circular elastic band 1 and non-removable from the outer surface 8. The circular elastic band is 1-2 inches wide and thickness is ⅛- 3/16. In non-stretched position, the circumference of the circular elastic band 1 is 8-10 inches and in stretched position the circumference is equal to 15-20 inches for accommodation with dumbbell or barbell. The weight of the circular elastic band 1 is 2-5 oz.

As further depicted in FIG. 1, there are six attachment means as lead platelets with a thin protective layer made from rubber are attached to the top portion of the each circular elastic band 08 and the weight of each lead platelet is 3 oz. The attachment means 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7; as lead platelets are non-removable from the circular elastic band; finally the total weight of the device is 1.25-3.75 pounds.

An important feature of this invention is available in another version wherein the length of circular elastic band is 14-20 inch and could be able to stretch around 26-30 inches to accommodate dumbbells having sized 27-31 inches in circumference.

The use of dumbbells in this way is effective only in combination with band and stabilization of lead platelets. The main advantage of the Elastic weighted band is eliminating the training injury that could occurred when loading progressions are higher than the user's strength ability, due to limited weight increments of dumbbells.

Incorporating this device with all fitness equipment is much cheaper than purchasing dumbbells and weight plates to maintain proper incremental loads. Additionally, the provision of the external weight attachment device is that it is significant beneficial to women and men with all body types. The external weight attachment device helps to promote and stimulate muscle growth while training muscle groups safely.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-discussed embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

Plural instances may be provided for components, operations or structures described herein as a single instance. Finally, boundaries between various components are somewhat arbitrary, and particular operations are illustrated in the context of specific illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality are envisioned and may fall within the scope of the inventive subject matter. In general, structures and functionality presented as separate components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the inventive subject matter. 

I claim:
 1. An external weight attachment device for use with a conventional weight device having weight mounted adjacent at the opposed ends of the handle of said weight device, said handle including a plurality of weight plates on said weight device, said add-on device comprising: a band member having an inner and outer surface ; a plurality of lead platelets;
 2. The external weight attachment device of claim 1, wherein said band member is made from elastic material.
 3. The external weight attachment device of claim 1, wherein said band member is circular in shape.
 4. The external weight attachment device of claim 1, wherein said band member has non-slip surface.
 5. The external weight attachment device of claim 1, wherein said lead platelets are mounted on the elastic band.
 6. The external weight attachment device of claim 1, wherein said lead platelets are non-removable from the elastic band.
 7. The external weight attachment device of claim 1, wherein said band member is mounted on said weight plates of said opposite ends of said handle of said weight device.
 8. The external weight attachment device of claim 1, wherein said weight device is hand-held dumbbell.
 9. The external weight attachment device of claim 1, wherein said band weighs about one and one-half pounds.
 10. The external weight attachment device of claim 1, wherein said band has an inner perimeter sized to permit a standard-sized to mount on said weight plates of said opposite ends of said handle of said weight device. 